Christmas and early 2026 will see major strides made on projects in Network Rail’s North & East route – part of the £160 million of railway investment nationally this festive season.
Much of the Christmas work will be done when trains are not running but passengers are advised to check all parts of their journey before travelling.
The main work involved in strengthening two platforms at Chesterfield station will take place, along with renewal of the switches and crossings that guide trains safely from one line to another, and in the new year, two level crossings will be upgraded.
All this work is in addition to the Transpennine Route Upgrade project delivering Christmas and new year improvements between Leeds and York.
The main work to strengthen two platforms at Chesterfield station will take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The £3.3 million project will see 40-metre sections of platforms 1 and 2 reconstructed to provide better structural integrity – improving passenger experience and reducing maintenance costs in the long-term.
The work takes place from 10.30pm on Christmas Eve until the early hours of 27 December, meaning there is no impact on passenger services.
Also taking place during Christmas Day and Boxing Day will be the renewal of switches and crossings at Crofton West, South Kirkby and Whitehall Junction, West Yorkshire.
Into the new year, there will be upgrades taking place which affect passenger services, including the renewal of:
- Driffield level crossing, meaning buses replace trains between Beverley and Bridlington on Sunday 4 January.
- switches and crossings at Moorthorpe Junction, meaning buses replace trains between Rotherham Central and Wakefield Westgate/York on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 January.
- Burton Agnes level crossing, meaning rail replacement buses operating between Beverley and Bridlington on Sunday 11 January.
- Hessle Road signal box panel, near Hull, affecting journeys on Sunday 11 January. Replacement buses will connect Hull with Brough, Goole, Selby, Bridlington, Scarborough and Doncaster.*
Karen Duffy, Network Rail operations director, North & East route, said:
“This Christmas and new year, we’re making major strides on projects across the North & East route, as part of the national £130 million of investment to improve reliability and safety for passengers. These upgrades will help deliver a more resilient railway for the future. We’d like to thank passengers for their patience and encourage everyone to check before they travel.”
Image credit: Network Rail
